Page 58 of Jase

“Can I come over? Maybe I want to date her. She’s cute. Really, really cute.”

My teeth clenched for the first time in days causing Rian’s finger to shoot up as he pointed.

“Right there! There it is. You have feelings for her.”

“Do you want me to fire you?”

“We both know that’s not going to happen. What you can do is let me help you. You know I can do it. Two is better than one. Especially given what you’re dealing with.”

Again, my gaze went to Kody. “I’ve compiled a few theories. Ways to…try.” She turned, leaning against the thick cement. Her eyes met mine, stealing any focus I might have had. Need rolled through, twisting with the increasing lust. I blinked, tearing myself from her gaze. Rian’s smile had me cursing. “I’ve already emailed the damn thing over. We’ll talk about it later.”

I ended the video call, pulling my earbuds free. As I approached the back door, Kody’s smile grew. Damn, I was in trouble. Not so much from what I’d already decided, but from these feelings. They grew by the hour, and they’d already surpassed anything I’d been prepared for. That told me a lot. I knew myself better than anyone, but I wasn’t predictable when it came to her.

“You were pouting.”

I shut the door behind me. “I was not.” I smiled. “Okay, maybe a little. How do you know what I look like when I pout, anyway?”

“I just know. What happened to make you upset?”

Walking to the back, I leaned against the barrier, trying not to overwhelm her with this beast inside of me. Could she feel it? Sense it? It was there, waiting, wishing…

“Nothing really. Just work stuff. You’ve been quiet the last few days. What about you? How have you been? You go in a few days to have the pins removed from your hand. Are you excited?”

The smile faltered, but she forced it to return as she glanced up to me.

“Yeah. I can’t wait to get rid of this device, actually.”

“I bet. The 3D cast will be so much more comfortable for you.” I paused. “You’re okay other than that?”

“Yeah. I’m adjusting. It’s like I have to get to know myself all over again. I’m not the same person I was before.”

“No.” My head shook, and my hands drew into fists as I kept them from reaching out to comfort her. “It’ll get easier. It just takes time.

“All I seem to have is time. Too much time. It’s driving me crazy.”

“What about the book you got in yesterday?”

Kody glanced towards the door.

“I spent all night reading it. I finished this morning.”

“You haven’t been to sleep?”

“No. I can’t. I tried but…”

I did reach out then. I hooked my index finger around hers, pulling her good hand up so that I could slide my finger up to circle over her palm. She got flustered when I did that, and I liked it.

“Is it the nightmares? Am I still in them?”

Just thinking about being a bad guy in her dreams had me stepping closer.

“It’s not that. I mean, the dreams still come, but they’re not the reason I can’t sleep. I just have a lot on my mind. I guess I’m a bit restless.”

“You can talk to me about it.” My thumb traveled over the tops of her fingers. Kody’s breath deepened as she watched. More, I stepped in. I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t want to despite knowing I should give her more time. “Talk to me. Why are you restless?”

“Jase.” Hesitantly, her hand drew back, rising to my chest. She looked up, pressing her fingertips into me before lowering her hand again. Dark hair blew around her face, and I was gone to anything but her needs. And she definitely needed me. The confliction was etched into her features. The arousal. The plea. Did she even know exactly what it was she was yearning for?

I did.